The Alcohol Industry Went Crying To Congress Over Big Bad Weed

The 2016 Democratic National Convention was shrouded in scandal after Wikileaks released more than 30,000 emails containing information that seemed to show the DNC favoring Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders. While the DNC is supposed to remain neutral, the conversations show clear favoritism of Clinton and extreme bias against Sanders. Found among the emails is a correspondence between major alcohol industry executives and the DNC, with executives warning of the dangers of legalizing cannabis.

Secret agendas of the alcohol industry

It’s no surprise, the tobacco and alcohol industries are concerned about the legalization of cannabis because of the business it will take away from them. So, when Wikileaks discovered emails from Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America outlining their concerns, the secret-leaking website was quick to publish its contents.

A message from Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America: While neutral on the issue of legalization, WSWA believes states that legalize marijuana need to ensure appropriate and effective regulations are enacted to protect the public from the dangers associated with the abuse and misuse of marijuana.

23 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medicinal marijuana while Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and D.C. have legalized possession and recreational use. In the years since the state legalized medicinal use, Colorado law enforcement officials have documented a significant increase in traffic fatalities in which drivers tested positive for marijuana.

They state clearly their neutrality on the idea of legalization, but continue on to explain the “dangers associated with the abuse and misuse of marijuana.” Sure, that doesn’t sound biased at all. Has anyone seen the dangers associated with abusing or misusing alcohol? I certainly have, and they far outweigh the any “dangers” associated with cannabis use.

The idea that the alcohol industry, the number one cause of vehicle-related fatalities, would bring up a concern about rising accidents in Colorado after legalization is beyond preposterous and completely unrelated.

Shaking in their tin cans

The cannabis industry has dealt with backlash from opposing industries for years. Lobbyists from big tobacco spent millions of dollars in an attempt to squash the legalization movement, while the alcohol industry tries to petition and fear-monger their way into relevance.

During 2016 alone, the Arizona Wine and Spirits Association donated $10,000 to keep cannabis legalization from appearing on the November ballot. It failed, and come election time, Arizona residents will have the opportunity to make their own decisions on the issue of legalizing cannabis.

In reality, neither industry is having a major impact on the legalization movement, as it continues to spread from state to state to state. The Wine & Spirits industry attempts to instill fear in voters by preying on their emotions and their concern over driving while high, but completely ignores the hard facts that their industry is one of the leading causes of car accidents in America.

Industry executives are clearly aware that cannabis will soon be legal, and are grasping at every last bit of their power to try and stop it.

Do you think the alcohol industry is out of line? Let us know on social media or in the comment section below.